I Tried Mister Rogers’ Favorite Side Dish Recipe

My love for Fred Rogers runs deep—and spans decades. I watched Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood religiously as a child in the 1990s, and teared up through the closing scenes of the 2019 Tom Hanks biopic. He helped teach me how to tie my shoes. He taught me that all emotions were welcome. He helped me look for the wonder that surrounds us all. And now, he’s teaching me how to level-up my side dish game.

During a recent exploration around the PBS website, I stumbled upon a hidden treasure: a corn pudding recipe that Mister Rogers adored. (Sorry, it simply doesn’t feel natural to refer to him by his first name only!) It’s actually a family heirloom recipe, and one his grandma used to make for family dinners. 

Craving a big dose of comfort, I had already committed to making this corn side dish recipe this week. But once I scrolled down and saw I only needed 4 ingredients to follow suit, I was immediately sold on whipping it up that night.

What Is Corn Pudding?

Before we dive into the specifics of this recipe, let’s zoom out and chat about the concept of corn pudding, aka corn casserole, corn soufflé, spoonbread, or corn pudding casserole. This cozy side dish recipe is a staple in Southern cuisine, where it’s often included as part of Thanksgiving menus, as well as in other areas that grow mass quantities of corn. (As someone who was born and raised in Iowa, corn casserole holds fond memories!)

Sometimes, corn pudding is made with cornmeal or Jiffy corn bread mix. For other renditions, the corn itself steps into the spotlight, and fresh, frozen, or canned corn kernels team up with eggs, butter, sometimes cream and sugar, and a thickener (such as flour or cornstarch). As this mixture bakes, it sets into a creamy, custard-like dish with a texture that’s almost reminiscent of pudding—hence the name.

Add sugar and it veers sweet, or follow the lead of our savory Corn Pudding Casserole and infuse it with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Any which way, a scoop of corn pudding allows you to savor summer flavors any time of year.

How to Make Mister Rogers’ Corn Pudding

Mister Rogers’ family recipe for corn pudding is classic, and is about as easy as switching from a jacket to a cozy cardigan. Simply:

1. Combine the ingredients. In a large bowl, beat a couple eggs. Once the whites and yolks are evenly mixed, add a can of creamed corn, a bit of flour, some milk, melted butter, and a generous pinch of salt.
2. Bake. Add the corn mixture to a buttered baking dish. In a 350° F oven, cook for 1 hour, or until well-set.

What Makes This Corn Pudding Recipe So Special?

It’s not make believe: this corn pudding recipe is as easy as it seems. I was able to combine the corn mixture and have it ready to cook before the oven even finished preheating. Despite the fact that Mister Rogers corn pudding recipe takes about an hour to cook, I could certainly picture myself having the time and energy to bring this to the table any night of the week.

Plus, it calls for just four affordable refrigerator and pantry staples that add up to a combined $2.50 or so, or about 63 cents per serving if you divide this up into four portions.

With the subtle sweetness from the corn, the richness of the cream, and the sprinkle of salt, this side dish is quite mild in flavor as-is. But that can be part of the appeal. Much like Mister Rogers’ signature trusty button-up shirt, this corn casserole is easy to accessorize based on your mood, what’s in season, and the occasion. 

Tips For Making Corn Pudding

After smiling my way through making—and devouring—this recipe, I did a deeper dive into the recipe category to see how others remix it. I also called up my friends in the Test Kitchen to compare notes, and have listed a handful of hints below, in case you’re in the mood to get corny, too:

• Pick your pan wisely. The original recipe doesn’t specify, but a 1-quart baking dish works well for this serving size. Feel free to double the ingredients and bake it in an 8- by 8-inch baking dish, a 2-quart baking dish, or a 9-inch round pan (such as a ceramic or glass pie pan) to feed a larger crowd or to plan ahead for leftovers. By the way, you can transfer any extra to an airtight storage container to store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.
• Switch up your corn. Canned creamed corn is a terrific option since it’s affordable, available year-round, and eliminates the need for heavy cream in the ingredient list. That said, if it’s fresh corn season or you have frozen kernels that you’re hoping to use up, you can certainly use those, instead. Aim for 2 cups of fresh or frozen corn. If you’d like to mimic the consistency of creamed corn without the cream, try pulsing ½ cup of the kernels in a blender or food processor to break it down into a creamier blend. Fold this in with the whole corn kernels.
• Accessorize. As we hinted to earlier, Mister Rogers’ corn pudding recipe can act as the foundation for other flavors. To match with your main, transport this side dish around the globe by adding your favorite herbs, spices, and mix-ins. If you’re in the mood for savory, incorporate canned chopped green chiles, shredded cheese, browned ground sausage, crumbled cooked bacon, chopped roasted red peppers, or caramelized onions. For a sweet riff, consider cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla extract and a spoonful or two of honey or sugar.
• Time it right. When is corn pudding done? It’s okay if the center still jiggles slightly—in fact, the pudding can err on the dry or curdled side if overcooked. The edges should be golden and the center should reach at least 175° F when you test it with an instant-read thermometer. Allow the corn pudding to rest for 5 minutes before scooping and serving.

The Verdict on Mister Rogers’ Corn Pudding

Easy, budget-friendly, and endlessly adaptable, I could see Mister Rogers’ corn pudding recipe becoming a fixture on many family tables for years to come. The prep time is quick and the payoff is more than worth the time and expense it takes to make this vegetable side dish.

No matter how you customize the flavors, and even if you just stick with the classic, as you sit down and dive into your first spoonful of corn pudding, you’ll likely think it is indeed “a beautiful day in the neighborhood.”